Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report of the Children's Commissioner entitled We need to talk: Access to speech and language therapy, published in June 2019, what plans he has to require all local areas to have a strategic plan in place which assesses the level of speech, language and communication in their area.

The Government recognises that speech, language and communication skills are a primary indicator of child wellbeing.

The Prevention Green Paper made clear that the Government will continue to prioritise improving early speech and language outcomes as a preventative measure with strategic leadership across education, health and social care to narrow inequalities. The Government will also continue to work with local areas to support them to put in place joined-up strategies and services at local level that give children and families the support they need. The Prevention Green Paper is currently out for consultation regarding how action can be taken forward.